'I Need a Break, So I'm taking it'
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Spalding Allegedly Raped Child under age of 13 Repeatedly:
Man indicted for repeatedly sexually assaulting child
![]() |
Wm. Spauding |
William Spalding, 21, was arraigned in Wyoming County Court Thursday on a grand jury indictment charging him with two counts of predatory sexual assault against a child, second-degree rape and endangering the welfare of a child.
He entered a not guilty plea and is to return to court May 26.
Spalding was arrested in March after a Wyoming County sheriff’s investigation revealed he allegedly repeatedly raped a child under age 13 during several months in 2021.
The predatory sexual assault charged is a violent felony offense punishable by up to 25 years to life in prison.
Also in County Court last week and on Monday:
Firefighters spent Five Hours on Scene of Java Blaze:
Unsupervised burn pile spread to buildings, causing brush fires
Fire officials say an unsupervised burn pile spread to multiple buildings and brushy areas in a remote area Friday. The fires were reported about 1:30 p.m. at 3 North Addition Rd., between Route 78 and Java Lake Road.
The property, owned by David Watkins, could be accessed only from a single-lane road, Wyoming County Office of Emergency Services Fire/EMS Coordinator William Streicher said.
North Java, Strykersville, Arcade, Sheldon, Harris Corners, Wales Center, Chaffee/Sardinia, Monroe Ambulance and an inmatge [sic] crew from Wyoming Correctional were called to the scene.
Fire crews spent nearly five hours at the scene, battling fires at multiple buildings, a log cabin and several brush fires. No injuries were reported.
The fires happened one day before the state burn ban was lifted. There was no word on whether the owner of the property will be cited.
SLDN News Briefs
- Biden condemns Buffalo mass shooting as act of terrorism and denounces white supremacy as ‘a poison’ while speaking in Buffalo to the families who lost loved ones and the 3 injured.
- Frost advisory issued for overnight (Tues.-Wed.) in Wyoming County
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Parolee charged with shooting JAVA woman in stomach
![]() |
Jared T. Wrazen |
Jared T. Wrazen, 29, was charged with first-degree assault, second-degree crimimal possession of a weapon and endangering the welfare of a child. He was committed to Wyoming County Jail without bail.
The victim, also 29, was shot in the stomach and was treated by EMS from Strykersville Ambulance and Monroe Ambulance. She was then taken by Mercy Flight to Erie County Medical Center. Her name was not released.
Sheriff Gregory Rudolph said the shooting happened at 10:35 p.m., five minutes after the initial call. Deputies were on their way when a second call came in, saying there had been a shooting.
A 63-year-old woman and a 4-year-old child were in the house at the time of the shooting, Rudolph said.
Wrazen has a violent past. He was released from Five Points Correctional Facility on Dec. 16 after serving five years and six months of a seven-year term for assault and possessing methamphetamine.
Wrazen was living in Delevan in 2015 when he was arrested in May after driving his car into two people during a fight at a party.
In December of that year, Wrazen was free on bail when his residence in Delevan was raided by members of the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force and Wyoming County Drug Task Force. Police discovered Wrazen was operating a meth lab.
Wrazen is on parole until Sept. 29 and on post-release supervision until Dec. 16, 2026.
Why publish a Buffalo story that becomes national and international?
Attorney General warns New Yorkers to beware of scams
In the wake of the Buffalo terror attack Saturday where 10 people were fatally shot, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued an alert warning all New York residents to beware of potential fraudulent charities.
Dubbed a hate crime by authorities, 13 people were shot and 10 left dead in the supermarket shooting in Buffalo on Saturday. Eleven of the 13 victims were Black, law enforcement officials said.
Payton Gendron, 18, of Conklin, N.Y., who drove to a Buffalo supermarket and allegedly killed 10 people Saturday afternoon has been charged with murder, according to a report in syracuse.com, SILive.com’s sister site.
James’ office warned that scammers use incidents as such to make money and divert donations away from the intended recipients.
James expressed that scammers will take advantage of kindness for personal gain.
“As New Yorkers from every corner of the state show their support and solidarity with the Buffalo community, I urge them to be careful of sham charities and make sure they give to trustworthy organizations and groups,” said James, “I join the whole Buffalo community and the entire state of New York in mourning this senseless, hate-filled act of terror.”
IMPORTANT TIPS
Monday, May 16, 2022
PMSA holds Spring Meeting & Social
Saturday, May 14, 2022
Thirteen Shot, 2 White, Ten of whom Succumbed in Mass Shooting at Tops’ Jefferson Market; shooter in custody
![]() |
P.S. Gendron |
Police confirmed that 13 people have been shot and 10 are deceased. Of the 10, 4 were killed in the parking lot before the shooter entered the supermarket. Of those shot, 11 were Black and 2 were white. Four were store employees. The weapon was legally acquired but the modifications were not.
The shooter has allegedly written a white manefesto, giving this crime a racial component. Police are asking people to avoid the area around Jefferson and Landon.
Erie County Sheriff's Office ordered all available resources and personnel to assist. An emotional Press Conference took place in the late afternoon expressing extreme sorrow but also including tempered anger and determination. The press conference closed with prayers from the Fire Dept. Chaplain, a local and beloved Roman Catholic Priest, and the Buffalo Common Council President who is also a Bishop in a large, well known Buffalo church.
Friday, May 13, 2022
SLDN Friday News Briefs
![]() |
CW4 KOCH |
Thursday, May 12, 2022
UR Medicine set to open new Batavia campus on Call Pkwy.
UR Medicine will open the doors Monday at its new Batavia campus at 7995 Call Parkway, Batavia.
The new 21,455 square foot medical campus — located at 7995 Call Parkway — will centralize specialty clinics and primary care into one location, along with on-site lab services, making care more convenient for patients. It will also provide adult and pediatric allergy/immunology, neurosurgery, oncology, otolaryngology and audiology services, along with urology clinics and UR Medicine’s Batavia-based primary care practice.
Additional services will be added over the next 12 months.
Michelle Lawrence, associate vice president of regional development, said the campus is nicely located near Route 98. The health care provider also serves a lot of patients in Albion, so the Batavia campus allows them to also have better access to care. UR Medicine chose the location both for the opportunity to be in an accessible corridor and its ability for future expansion.
UR Medicine Radiation Oncology will remain in its current Bank Street location. Dr. Eric Wu and the Batavia ophthalmology practice are joining UR Medicine and will move to the Flaum Eye Institute’s location on Liberty Street on June 1, which will be expanded into space formerly occupied by primary care.
Dr. Web Pilcher, chair of the department of neurosurgery, said when he first started his practice 30 years ago he had a patient from Le Roy who suggested Pilcher come out to Batavia.
“The patients don’t want to travel to Rochester to see a specialist. They probably won’t get care unless you come out and meet them here,” he said.
Pilcher started traveling to Batavia in 1993 at St. Jerome’s Hospital before moving around to different locations in Batavia. Getting to know many people in Batavia, he said, the location became a regular part of his outpatient practice.
As he met a lot of area patients, it occurred to him that it was a big struggle for them to get to Rochester.
“I think from a patient standpoint, giving them access to the specialist, letting them develop trust and meet them is very important,” Pilcher said.
The Batavia campus, which will operate as an outpatient clinic under Strong Memorial Hospital, will continue UR Medicine’s practice of staffing specialty clinics with providers who are either locally based or consistently practice in the community, allowing patients to maintain a consistent relationship with the same providers.
Even if a patient needs to travel to Strong West in Brockport or Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester for surgery, their pre-and post-operative consultations can often be conducted via telemedicine from their home or the Batavia offices, making the experience easier and more convenient for patients and their families.
UR Medicine consists of six hospitals located throughout the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier regions — Strong Memorial, Highland, F.F. Thompson, Noyes Memorial, Jones Memorial, and St. James hospitals — as well as Golisano Children’s Hospital, James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, UR Medicine Home Care, the Highlands at Pittsford and Highlands at Brighton, 11 urgent care centers, and an extensive primary care network. The Batavia campus will be competing against Rochester Regional Health, who is affiliated with United Medical Memorial Center in Batavia.
“I think competition is a good thing from the point of view of bringing services to a community,” said Steve Goldstein, president and CEO of Strong Memorial Hospital. “Our role and our job is when we identify a community need is best we can to provide that service.”
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Perry man charged during traffic stop, arrested for DWI
On Saturday May 7, 2022, Officer Spencer Kramell conducted a traffic stop on Lake Street in the Village of Perry for a vehicle and traffic law violation. Upon interacting with the driver, 47-year-old Michael X. Lohmer of Perry, NY, Officer Kramell suspected Lohmer to be intoxicated. Officer Kramell requested Lohmer submit to standardized field sobriety tests, which he complied.
Lohmer did not perform the tests as instructed and was subsequently arrested for DWI.
Lohmer was transported to the Perry Police Department where he did voluntarily submit to a chemical breath test to determine his blood alcohol content (BAC). The test revealed that Lohmer had a BAC of .12%.
He is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08% or more and was ticketed for insufficient turn signal-less than 100 feet.
Per NYS Bail Reform, Lohmer was processed and released to a sober third and is to appear in Perry Village Court on 06/07/2022 for the below charges.
Also assisting with the investigation was Officer Dakota Spink of the Perry Police Department.
Special Weather Statement from NWS
Driving distracted: Computer simulators illustrate dangers
- By MATT SURTEL, msurtel@batavianews.com
![]() |
Attica Freshman Marley Weber, 14, tries to text and drive at the same time during a driving simu- lation Tuesday at Attica High School. Almost every student participating wound up in a collision. |
Investigators search for fire cause on Market Street, Attica
- By BRIAN QUINN, bquinn@batavianews.com
County and local agencies continue to look into the cause of the fire that destroyed a Market Street home Monday afternoon and evening, Wyoming County Fire / EMS Coordinator Bill Streicher said Tuesday.
Streicher said the investigation by county Emergency Management, the county Sheriff’s Office, Attica Police Department and Attica Fire Department is still active. He said no preliminary determination has been made on the cause of the fire at 44 Market St. that started on the porch on the side of the house, toward the back.
“We have more interviews to do and some more work to do. It’s time-consuming,” Streicher said of the investigation into the fire.
John Lavarnway Sr. and John Lavarnway Jr., the two people who lived there, are receiving Red Cross assistance as they look for a new place to live, Streicher said.
“Red Cross is helping them with their immediate, essential needs. The Red Cross is very short-term,” he said.
John Lavarnway Jr. had been taken to United Memorial Medical Center Monday as a precaution. Streicher on Tuesday said he hadn’t received an update on whether Lavarnway Jr. had been released.
Most units were on scene for about six hours, Streicher said. Firefighters from Attica, Bennington, Cowlesville, Alexander, the town of Batavia, Alden, Wyoming Correctional, Wyoming and Darien responded to the scene. Varysburg, Harris Corners, Strykersville, North Java, Warsaw and Pembroke firefighters were on standby.
National Grid and the New York State Police also assisted at the scene.
Brown allegedly Used Sharpened Tube to Assault Officer:
Inmate indicted for trying to kill officer who was saved by his pocket pensWARSAW — Attorneys will be seeking to have a mental health examination done on a former Attica Correctional Facility inmate who allegedly tried to murder an officer in October.
Theodore Brown, 45, was indicted last week in Wyoming County Court.
A grand jury charged Brown with attempted aggravated murder of an officer, aggravated assault of an officer with a deadly weapon and two counts of promoting prison contraband.
District Attorney Donald O’Geen said a not guilty plea was entered for Brown and a mental health exam is likely to be conducted.
Brown, who is now at Auburn Correctional FacilIty, was serving a life sentence for a 1998 murder, assault and robbery conviction in Suffolk County.
On Oct. 8, Brown used a sharpened metal tube to attack a corrections officer. Brown had just left his D block cell to receive medication when he grabbed the officer’s arm and repeatedly stabbed him in the chest.
Two pens in the officer’s breast pocket saved his life, a spokesman for the officer’s union said at the time.
He said the pen’s blocked the officer’s heart.
The officer was treated at Erie County Medical Center and released.
Brown was taken into custody by other officers, who also found a rusted piece of jagged metal about 14 inches long in his cell. The tube he used to stab the officer was about 5 inches long.
The attack came during a year that saw more attacks on officers than any other year, a trend that union officials say is continuing this year.
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
Union: Officers Assaulted again at Orleans and Albion Prisons:
More officers injured in inmate attacks at two Albion prisons
Two more corrections officers were injured in inmate attacks that came just two weeks after 13 officers were injured in separate attacks at Orleans Correctional Facility.
And last week, two officers were injured at Albion Correctional, a women’s prison, after being attacked by an inmate, said officials from the state Corrections Officers and Police Benevolent Association.
Western Region Vice President Kenny Gold said the first attack happened April 28 at Orleans.
An officer saw two inmates in a bathroom stall at the facility. He ordered both inmates out of the stall and they initially complied.
While leaving the bathroom, one of the inmates turned toward the officer and punched him multiple times in the head and upper body. The officer immediately called for a response as the inmate continued to attack him.
The officer grabbed the inmate in a body hold, but with one arm still free, the inmate continued to strike the officer in the head. The officer forced the inmate to the floor, where he remained combative.
OC spray was administered with no effect.
Two officers arrived to assist and were able to get the inmate’s arms behind his back, where handcuffs were applied.
Once in handcuffs, the inmate became compliant. He was placed in a Special Housing Unit pending disciplinary charges.
The inmate was described as serving a 15 year sentence after being convicted in Queens County in 2016 for first-degree burglary and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. During the course of the burglary, he struck a police officer, who responded to the burglary in progress call, in the head with a crowbar.
The corrections officer attacked suffered multiple scrapes to his neck, back, face and arms; pain and swelling to his shoulder and knee; and a contusion to the back of his head. He was treated by medical staff at the facility and transported to an outside hospital for further treatment.
Gold said he has yet to return to work. (continued)
Fire destroys Market Street home in Attica, one resident taken to UMMC
- By BRIAN QUINN, bquinn@batavianews.com
- By BRIAN QUINN, bquinn@batavianews.com
Halvorsen Road Fire in Pike
A family of four will not be able to return to its home on Halvorsen Road until repairs are made after a fire there Sunday morning, a Wyoming County emergency official said.
County Fire and EMS Coordinator Bill Streicher said the double-wide, manufactured home did not suffer a lot of damage, but utility and general repairs are needed. The fire happened at the home of Brandon Smith and Morgan Sommers and a boy and girl, he said. All four got out without injured, as did their dog, Streicher said. County 911 dispatchers got the call at 5:47 a.m.
“It started underneath the double-wide in a crawl space,” Streicher said. “The firemen were able to contain it to the area of origin. They had a hard time getting to it due to the fact there was a crawl space.”
Once firefighters got to the fire, it was extinguished pretty quickly. Smith also applied water to the fire before firefighters got there, Streicher said.
“Between the actions of the homeowner and the actions of the fire department, they were able to keep the damage to a minimum,” the fire and EMS coordinator said.
Firefighters and ambulance from Pike responded, as did firefighters from Bliss, Silver Springs, Castile and Fillmore. Centerville and Perry firefighters stood by in Pike and Castile, respectively, he said. Streicher’s office was at the scene as well, he said.
“The last unit was out of there in probably 2 1/2 hours. Right now, we’re labeling that accidental,” Streicher said.
The Red Cross was not called to assist the family of four, he said.
‘The family’s going to be staying with family members until they make appropriate repairs,” Streicher said.
Walker Road Fire in Perry
Another fire in Wyoming County took place Friday, causing significant damage to a home at 61 Walker Rd. in Perry, Streicher said.
Firefighters responded at 1:34 p.m. to the home, owned by Joey and Estella Safford. Sparks from a power tool ignited materials in a basket.
“The home was occupied by the owners, who will be staying with family members,” Streicher said in a press release. “Renovation work was being completed at the time of the fire.”
Responding to the scene were firefighters from Perry, Perry Center, Castile and Silver Springs. Perry EMS was at the scene, as were the Wyoming County Office of Emergency Services and Sheriff’s Office, and NYSEG. Firefighters from Mount Morris and Pike were on standby. Responders were on scene for about 2 1/2 hours.

SILVER LAKE EXPERIENCE (SLE) - Registration now Open for this August 4-6, 2022's SLE. See: SilverLakeExperience.org
W. PETE MAIRS

Editor's Note: It was a privilege knowing and working with Pete Mairs during his presidency of the Silver Lake Institute. He was a kind and gentle man, but also firm in his leadership. I served as Treasurer and Chaplain of SLI during those years and I could always depend on Pete's presence in the worship service. He was a man of faith and a gem of a human being. May he rest in God's care.
GERALD C. SAHRLE

Editor's Note: Gerald and Valarie could always be seen in the family pew with Pamela, Stone and Winston at Perry First United Methodist Church and continue to be loved. Gerry will be sorely missed. Both were supporters of the Arts at the Silver Lake Institute and Valarie was active in painting and participating in the Annual Show in August. Valarie's presence was always valued and appreciated.
KATHARINE E. PRACZKAJLO ("Kathy P.")

Editor's Note: "Kathy P." as she was better known to us at Silver Lake was an annual summer visitor for most of the last number of years at the invitation of Silver Laker Julia Hoffner. She stayed at the Hoffner Cottage, and became known as both the fun visitor with the vivacious smile to the neighbors at the intersection of Haven Ave. and the Ames Walkway. Kathy P. and Julie could be seen walking and talking between the cottage and the Hoffner boathouse where they could be close to the water. She was also occasionally seen at the Saturday morning breakfasts at Stoody Hall. Her stay was anywhere between 4 days and a week where she had the opportunity to develop a love for Silver Lake. She was not yet eligible for retirement when late last week she developed "a cold" and had to remain home from her job. She did not update her condition over the weekend so the local police made a wellness visit and found her deceased on Monday. She was one of those many people who found Silver Lake and friendship for brief respites where she also found new strength and energy to return to work. She is being particularly mourned by those in the Haven/Ames neighborhood. She will be memorialized next summer at the annual Celebration of Life Memorial Service at Epworth Hall.
BRENDA J. PADDOCK

Brenda Joan Paddock, 82, of Perry, born April 15, 1939, now resides in heaven with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Brenda met Jesus as her Savior in 1965. She met him in person on Nov. 14, 2021. She had a beautiful homecoming with music, singing and praying, leading her into Glory. Her last words were “I am well, I am well.”
Brenda’s greatest loves were her family and friends. Brenda had five children with her husband Roger: Don and Daelene Paddock of Florida, Jody and Tim Von Sanden of Pavilion, Bradley and Jeanie Paddock of Warsaw, Jennifer and Paul Guy of Massachusetts, and Nathan and Jill Paddock of Perry.
Brenda dearly loved her grandchildren: Jessica Morillo, Nikki and Clint O’Brien, Luke Paddock, Paul Paddock, Ian and Brooklyn Paddock, Joe and Louana Paddock, Burke and Megan Paddock, Aaron Paddock, Ellen Paddock, Andrew Paddock, Rachael Paddock, Abigail Paddock, Erik and Cassandra Von Sanden, Jacquelyn and Michael Jones, Tim Von Sanden, Brandon and Brandee Paddock, Jamey and Laura Paddock, Peter and Kara Guy, Candy and Jay Waitkevich, Marlo and Ryan Bolger and Jenna and Rory Peterson.
Brenda was blessed and loved her great grandchildren: Chloe, Olivia and Nicholas Von Sanden, Joshua and Jaxon Morillo, Jameson and Cassandra O’Brien, Atlas Paddock, Noah and Ezra Jones, Colton, Brantley and Charlotte Guy, Cameron Waitkevich, Amelia Bolger and Brennen Leonard.
Brenda is also survived by her brother and sister in laws; Frank and Emma Paddock, Viva and Jim Phillips-Richardson and Kurt and Lynn Paddock.
Brenda first started working as a secretary at Perry Central School. She then assisted her husband building Paddock’s Breeding Service. Roger and Brenda together built and ran the Sandsabarn teenage nightclub. Brenda was owner and operator of Serendipity Travel. Brenda’s pleasures included playing organ and piano. She played at a number of area churches along with performing for her loved ones. UPDATED -- Brenda also played with conviction at both indoor and outdoor services at the Silver Lake Institute where her grandson, Luke, sang at Epworth Hall on several occasions and was appreciated by all who heard his inspiring voice.
Brenda was preceded in death by her parents Noble and Freda Buckland, her husband Roger and son Bradley.
A Committal service at West Perry Cemetery will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, November 17 at 11 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at LaGrange Baptist Church at 4 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made in Brenda’s honor to the LaGrange Baptist Church 7092 LaGrange Rd. Perry, NY 14530 or to the First Congregational Church P.O. Box 156 Perry, NY 14530. Arrangements completed by Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC. 98 N. Main St., Perry, N.Y. 14530. For more information or to sign the online guest registry please visit www.eatonwatsonfuneralhome.com.

- MAIN NEWS COLUMN
(Julie Hoffner or Greg Franklin)
(Joan Maddison)
(Loren Penman)
(Mike Bellamy)
- Arts Council & Gallery (Perry)
- Asbury Retreat Center
- Pioneer Cabin, Museum, Band Stand & Park, old School House, old Church. See "3 Tours," below, under "Rainy Day Reading."
- Shake on the Lake
(S/L Acting Troupe) - S/L Golf -- The Club & Restaurant
- S/L Sportsmen's Club & Restaurant
- Charcoal Corral: Good Food including pizza, Ice Cream; 2 Drive-in Theaters; Miniature Golf, Kids Jumping Toys, Live Concerts, Classic Car Shows (open March 17, 2021 to late October). Family Fun.
- S/L Association (SLA)
- 2 great community programs (SLA)
- S/L Association on Facebook (SLA)
- S/L Institute (SLI) Website
- See History and Programming below.
- Hoag Gallery by Appointment (SLI)
- Burt Park was originally Auditorium Park (SLI)
- Letchworth State Park
Grand Canyon of the East" - Silver Lake State Park (Hunting, Fishing)
SILVER LAKE ASSOCIATION:
- MAIN NEWS COLUMN
- 3 Tours: Asbury, SLI, Pioneer Museum (high-lighted by satellite maps)
- Pioneer Cabin, Museum, Band Stand & Park, old School House, old Church
- History: Association (SLA)
- Sea Serpent Legend (Just one version)
- History: 2500 Seat Auditorium lost to fire (SLI)
- History: Institute (SLI)
- History: Institute Historical Buildings (SLI)
- History: Stoody Hall -- Rev J H Stoody single-handedly saves SLI; includes local WCTU history.
- Remembering 2017 (SLI)
- History: RR: Historian argues for early dates of S-L RR and Perry RR
- History: RR: Arthur P. Kreiner's Late Date for S/L R.R.
- History: RR: Local History, Local Ownership
SILVER LAKE INSTITUTE:
SILVER LAKE RAILROAD:
- MAIN NEWS COLUMN
- LINKS at Top Center of main newsletter SLDN (under banner/name block)
- Season 2021--click on: https://www.silverlakedailynewsletter.com/p/sli-public-programs-for-2021.html


Thanks to our
ACWC Partners in
Local Programming

Silver Lake thanks the ACWC, the NYS Legislature, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo for the Art Funds which make many of the Silver Lake programs possible.

Page Views since 2010:
